I started coughing on Sunday evening, and woke up on Monday morning with a few aches, a bit of a headache, and a tight chest.

Uncomfortable, but definitely not a knockout, my immediate concerns were my four-month old daughter, Robyn, and my asthmatic fiancee, Rebecca. I decided, after looking at the NHS website, to isolate for seven days due to this new persistent cough, despite not having a fever.

My symptoms never got much worse, and despite still not being able to smell or taste anything almost two weeks later, I am perfectly healthy.

On the Wednesday evening, already hyper-sensitive to any changes, Rebecca and I both noticed a small rash on Robyn's forehead. Despite not registering a high temperature on the thermometer, we both thought Robyn felt slightly warmer than usual. Having been told by a GP friend to watch out for a fever, we were worried it could be the start of something viral.

Four-month-old Robyn Ruddock’s ended up
in hospital with a drip in her head

At that point we were not overly stressed that she would get particularly ill even if she did start showing symptoms. Despite my insistence that "everything was fine", Rebecca called 111, the NHS non-emergency number you are advised to ring if you are worried about coronavirus symptoms. After just over an hour on hold she got through to an operator, and after a number of questions it was agreed that a clinician would call her back later. That call happened at 11pm, with the gist being that if it gets any worse bring her to A&E, as in these strange times a GP isn't an option.

On Thursday morning the rash was gone, and the day passed without incident. It was just two first-time parents overreacting to any small change in their precious little human.

On Friday, I knew I was feeling a bit better as our small flat was starting to feel a lot smaller on day five in isolation. But by the afternoon, cabin fever concerns were gone. Robyn was slightly off, not quite feeding as much, her usual constant cooing decreased noticeably, and she had fewer wet nappies. Then she registered an actual high temperature.

With Rebecca and I in isolation as per NHS advice, we decided a taxi would have been irresponsible, so Rebecca embarked on a 45-minute walk to the hospital, as we both agreed a high temperature was grounds for it getting worse. I was the one experiencing symptoms so we decided it was safer all around if I stayed at home.

However, the guilt got a bit much for me as they were about to leave, and the reality that I'd made my daughter ill filled me with fear and anger. A sobbing dad can only be unhelpful to a mother with an already sick baby.

The children's section of the A&E department was thankfully empty, and Robyn was assessed quickly by the nurse. The doctor saw her soon after and diagnosed suspected bronchiolitis. Her fever was high but not unmanageable so she and Rebecca were sent home. She was not tested for Covid-19 as she had not been admitted, and NHS England are only testing those who are in a serious enough condition to need hospital treatment.

Neither of us were unhappy with her not being taken in: it was just a fever, babies get fevers all the time, was she even that sick? As a new dad, I still feel I know nothing about babies. Bit of Calpol, it'll be fine, I told myself.

That night was pretty horrendous. Robyn wouldn't sleep for more than an hour and was crying and in obvious pain. She wouldn't take much of a feed, and we really started worrying. Should she go back to A&E? A cool bath followed by a full bottle allowed her to sleep in her mother's arms for a couple of hours.

Her temperature never dropped though, and at this stage we hadn't seen our baby happy and smiley in nearly a day. A temperature reading of 39.2C sparked full panic mode. Mother and baby were soon out the door again, doing the walk in about half the time of the previous day.

This time the medics were concerned. Her fever hit 40C at one stage, and her hands and feet turned a mottled purplish colour. Because babies tend to dislodge needles from their feet and arms, it is easier to give them fluids through a drip in their head.

Sitting uselessly at home, I received an alarming picture of a miserable looking four-month-old baby with bright red cheeks, and a protective cone attached to the side of her head.

They were put in an isolation ward, and this time tested for coronavirus, although doctors thought it was more likely to be a urinary tract infection than the coronavirus.

Due to the pandemic, hospitals have enforced new rules that only the person who brings a child in can stay with them and no other visitors are allowed. I could only sit at home and wait for updates.

The fluids seemed to help her pretty quickly, and although Robyn was still not her usual self, she could at least sleep for a bit longer and apparently let out fewer long upsetting groans.

Rebecca will hopefully have a better Mother's Days than her first one, but she says seeing Robyn smile again the next morning was more than she could have asked for. And aside from being extra clingy, Robyn continued to improve throughout the day, showing an increased fascination with the stream of hardworking nurses and doctors who came and went in full protective gear.

We thought initially she would be in for at least 48 hours, but by that afternoon she was allowed home. At 6pm we got the news Robyn had tested positive for Covid-19. At least we knew what was wrong with her, but there was also a large amount of stress that our baby was now a statistic on the news. The result more or less confirmed I had also been being dealing with the virus.

The doctor explained from what they had seen in children, they got sick but once they recovered that would be it, so there was no need for Robyn to return to the hospital.

Robyn has continued to improve, and aside from a cough every once in a while, and a bit of a snuffly nose, she is delighted with life again. She's back in action on her playmat, and threatening to roll over for the first time.

Robyn's story is to let you know despite things you may have read, babies can be affected by this virus so there are things to look out for. Although she was probably never seriously ill, it is something I will never forget.

I can't imagine it is ever a great time for your baby to get sick, but I could definitely think of better times than her coming down with the virus that has sparked a global shutdown.

Rebecca and I are both 28, Irish and have lived in London for five years. We were hoping to get home at Easter and allow friends and family who have only met Robyn once a chance to get her know her better.

However, with older loved ones back home, we know we are better off here for the time being.

Being away from the support of your extended family is difficult with a newborn, and this doesn't make it any easier. It was an incredibly stressful week, but we know we are very lucky.

For others this will be far more serious.

Daniel Ruddock is an Irish journalist based in London working as a news editor for 'upday'. He is also a son of the late former 'Sunday Independent' journalist Alan Ruddock